5 things we learned from Friday's World Cup games

5 things we learned from Friday’s World Cup games

Another day of World Cup action is behind us, and we’re more than halfway through the group stage. We take a look at what we learned on the ninth day of the 2014 World Cup.

1. France is the real deal

Four years after the meltdown in South Africa, Les Blues were a wild card coming into the tournament, missing their best player in Franck Ribery. Through two games, France has been the most impressive team in the World Cup. After beating Honduras 3-0, the French mauled a Switzerland team that FIFA has ranked No. 6 in the world. Also consider that France didn’t start Paul Pogba or Antoine Griezmann, two of their most talented players.

This team is ruthless and has the depth to adapt to anything it may face. If France tops the group and Argentina wins Group F, the French will have an extremely favorable matchup against Bosnia, Nigeria or Iran.

2. Costa Rica is winning CONCACAF the respect it deserves

The United States and Mexico have both been criticized through the years for not cruising through qualifying, but Costa Rica is showing the rest of the world that the confederation shouldn’t be an afterthought. Convincing wins over traditional powers Uruguay and Italy have the team in the knockout stage for the first time since 1990. Costa Rica’s run is reinforcing what United States and Mexico fans have known for decades.

3. England is officially out of contention

After two losses, the Three Lions needed Italy to beat Costa Rica to have any hope of advancing. That didn’t happen, meaning England is eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1958. Despite the disappointing results, England’s young talent showed flashes of brilliance, giving the team hope for the future.

4. The FIFA World Ranking system needs an overhaul

We scoffed back in October and have beaten this to death since, but Switzerland was one of seven seeded teams. That bears repeating.

5. You better have two screens next week

Like Group A, no team from Group E has clinched a spot in the knockout stage. Come the final round of group games, there will likely be at least one more group where three teams are simultaneously playing for a spot. Get your TVs, laptops, tablets and smartphones ready.

Brazil’s World Cup came to a disastrous end as a ruthless German side decimated a ravaged Brazilian team 7-1 and will move on to Sunday’s final. Relive the result that will go down as one of the most shocking in soccer history.